Regular Home Maintenance is Key

You LOVE where you live & inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices are the best way to protect your investment in your home. Establish a routine for yourself, and you will find the work is easy to accomplish and not very time-consuming. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most common — and costly — problems, before they occur. If necessary, use a camera to take pictures of anything you might want to share with an expert for advice or to monitor or remind you of a situation later. By following the information noted here, you will learn about protecting your investment and how to help keep your home a safe and healthy place to live. If you do not feel comfortable performing some of the home maintenance tasks listed below, or do not have the necessary equipment, you may want to consider hiring a qualified handy-person. 

Once the ground has thawed and the trees begin to bud, it's time to prepare your home for spring. On top of your regular spring cleaning, you'll also want to consider these general upkeep tips. Use our spring home maintenance checklist to make sure everything in your home from the basement to the roof is in tip-top shape:  

• Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks.   
• Change the air-conditioner filter.  
• Clean window and door screens.   
• Polish wood furniture and dust light fixtures.   
• Refinish the deck.   
• Power-wash windows and siding.   
• Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.   
• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  
• Have a professional inspect and pump the septic tank.   
• Inspect sink, shower, and bath caulking for deterioration.   
• Vacuum lint from dryer vent.   
• Inspect chimney for damage.   
• Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, and mechanicals.   
• Remove insulation from outdoor faucets and check sprinkler heads.   
• Have air-conditioning system serviced.   
• Drain or flush water heater.   
• Fertilize your lawn.